Abstract
The maintenance of seed quality during the long-term conservation of plant genetic resources is crucial for averting the projected food crises that are linked to the changing climate and rising world population. However, ageing-induced loss of seed vigour and viability during storage remains an inevitable process that compromises productivity in several orthodox-seeded crop species. Seed ageing under prolonged storage, which can occur even under optimal conditions, induces several modifications capable of causing loss of intrinsic physiological quality traits, including germination capacity and vigour, and stand establishment. The problems posed by seed ageing have motivated the development of various techniques for mitigating their detrimental effects. These invigoration techniques generally fall within one of two categories: (1) priming or pre-hydrating seeds in a solution for improved post-harvest performance, or (2) post-storage reinvigoration which often involves soaking seeds recovered from storage in a solution. Seed priming methods are generally divided into classical (hydropriming, osmopriming, redox priming, biostimulant priming, etc.) and advanced (nanopriming, magnetopriming and priming using other physical agents) techniques. With the increasing popularity of seed invigoration techniques to achieve the much-desired enhanced productivity and resilience in the face of a changing climate, there is an urgent need to explore these techniques effectively (in addition to other important practices such as plant breeding, fertilizer application, and the control of pests and diseases). This review aims to provide an overview of ageing in orthodox seeds and invigoration techniques that can enhance desirable agronomic and physiological characters.
Highlights
Given that global food demand is rising, it is necessary to ensure the conservation of genetic resources to preserve ecosystem resilience and to protect plant biodiversity for future agricultural food production [1,2]
The involvement of LOX enzymes in the ageing-induced lipid peroxidation of seeds has been investigated in several species where it was demonstrated that absence or lowering of LOX enzyme activity decreased the levels of MDA (Zea mays [95]), MDA and LOOH (Oryza sativa seeds [96]) promoted storability and germination (Oryza sativa seeds [97]), and improved vigour and viability (Nicotiana tabacum [98])
Phase II is a lag phase involving the initiation of various physiological functions relating to germination, including protein and mitochondria synthesis, degradation of stored food and reorganisation of cellular membranes, to support radicle protrusion and growth of the seedling, which commences in Phase III [198,221]
Summary
Given that global food demand is rising, it is necessary to ensure the conservation of genetic resources to preserve ecosystem resilience and to protect plant biodiversity for future agricultural food production [1,2]. The application of advances in plant physiology, the various techniques of pre-hydration treatment (which uses priming technology to invigorate debilitated germplasms), in addition to other important components, such as plant breeding for adaptation to climate change and higher yields, and cultural practices (e.g., irrigation, fertilizer application, and control of pests and diseases), is needed to improve seed performance, crop yields, maximum yield, and to enable planting on less favourable land, by making seeds better able to withstand sub-optimal conditions, thereby reducing crop losses Agriculture in this century and subsequently can be more productive and provide for improved conservation of plant genetic resources compared to previous periods. Heightened efforts in this regard, will ensure that the prospect of reaching millions of the poor with crop production research benefits is achieved [8]
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